Judge Koh questions Apple anti-poaching settlement
“I just have concerns about whether this is really fair to the class,” Judge Koh said, according to Reuters.
Employees at several Silicon Valley tech companies filed a lawsuit claiming Apple, Google, Adobe, Intel, Intuit, Pixar, and Lucasfilm all agreed to not poach employees from each other. The agreement, they said, kept salaries artificially low and limited their ability to find better jobs.
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Intuit, Pixar, and Lucasfilm previously agreed to a $20 million settlement, which was approved by Judge Koh. Had the case gone to trial the plaintiffs were asking for $3 billion.
Assuming Judge Koh approves the proposed settlement from Apple, Google, Adobe, and Intel, the plaintiffs will receive several thousand dollars each. One plaintiff, however, thinks the settlement lets the companies off too easy despite the fact that the other four companies struck a deal for far less.
Judge Koh is still reviewing the case, and while she does have concerns, hasn't said she intends to deny the settlement.
[Some image elements courtesy Shutterstock]
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